Bulldogs sign affiliation and lease extensions

March 1, 2013

Hamilton Bulldogs Owner and Chairman Michael Andlauer announced today the hockey club has signed a three-year agreement with Global Spectrum to remain the primary tenant at Copps Coliseum in Hamilton. Andlauer also announced the Bulldogs have signed a three-year extension to their affiliation agreement with the Montreal Canadiens.

“This is an exciting day for the Bulldogs, the Canadiens and the City of Hamilton,” stated Hamilton Bulldogs Owner and Chairman Michael Andlauer. “We are very fortunate to be affiliated with the most storied franchise in our sport, the Montreal Canadiens and I would like to thank Geoff Molson for his continued support. Equally as important as the relationship with our NHL affiliate is the relationship with our City. Mayor Bob Bratina has been instrumental in securing the Bulldogs’ future in Hamilton and I am grateful for his unwavering support. I would also like to thank our new partners at Global Spectrum and Live Nation Entertainment. Each year, hundreds of thousands of fans attend Bulldogs’ games and other events at Copps Coliseum. We look forward to working with John Page and his team to make Copps Coliseum and Downtown Hamilton a premier entertainment destination.”

“The Bulldogs lease means Copps Coliseum will continue to have a quality tenant ensuring top level hockey and committed ownership. Their community participation with such things as student nutrition programs and visits to our Children's Hospital is a bonus and a blessing”, said Hamilton Mayor Bob Bratina. "The Bulldogs and the City of Hamilton have a partnership second to none in Canada. The quality of our ownership is reflected in Michael Andlauer's Queen's Jubilee Medal for his community service that will now continue to grace our City."

“To grow and develop talent in your farm system you need first class facilities, stability and strong support and this is what the Bulldogs have enjoyed in Hamilton with Copps Coliseum, the community and great fans”, stated Montreal Canadiens Executive Vice President and General Manager Marc Bergevin. “We’re very pleased that our partnership will continue on for many years to come.”

"We are thrilled to be associated with the rich tradition of the Hamilton Bulldogs", said Global Spectrum Chief Operating Officer John Page. "We look forward to supporting their hockey and community initiatives here in Hamilton in this new partnership.”

Andlauer added, “I take a lot of pride in what the Bulldogs have accomplished, both on and off the ice, during the team’s first 17 seasons in the City of Hamilton. The extension of our affiliation agreement with the Montreal Canadiens and lease with Global Spectrum ensures that the Bulldogs will celebrate 20 seasons in the City of Hamilton. Through initiatives such as the “Dawgs Breakfast Program”, I can assure you that the Bulldogs will continue to give back to our great city. I hope Hamiltonians will support the Bulldogs by coming to Copps Coliseum to cheer the team on.”

Having served as the primary tenant at Hamilton’s Copps Coliseum since the 1996-1997 season, the Bulldogs are the seventh-longest-tenured team in the AHL, behind only the Hershey Bears (1938-1939), Rochester Americans (1956-1957), Providence Bruins (1992-1993), Portland Pirates (1993-1994), Springfield Falcons (1994-1995) and Syracuse Crunch (1994-1995).

The Hamilton Bulldogs have served as the American Hockey League affiliate of the Montreal Canadiens since the 2002-2003 season. During their 11 seasons as the Canadiens’ affiliate, the Bulldogs have been one of the AHL’s most successful teams on the ice, competing in four conference finals (2003, 2007, 2010 and 2011) and two Calder Cup Finals (2003 and 2007), capturing the City of Hamilton’s first professional hockey championship in 2007. During the team’s 17 seasons in Hamilton, 170 Bulldogs players have gone on to play in the NHL. Currently, there are 39 Hamilton Bulldogs’ graduates on NHL rosters, including 10 on the Montreal Canadiens’.